A Doug's Life: Hey naysayers, let's stay prepared anyway

Commentary by Menifee 24/7 Editor Doug Spoon

“Boy, we really dodged a bullet on that one.”

I see and hear your sarcastic comments all across Menifee today as the weather returns to normal after Tropical Storm Hilary had less of an impact than the experts predicted. Those of you who feel like saying “I told you so” today, go ahead if that makes you feel better.

But let’s talk about emergency preparedness anyway. For the next few minutes, humor me.

As that “little” temblor in Ojai on Sunday reminded us, there are reasons other than the rare Southern California tropical storm to be prepared for disaster. If you live in earthquake country, it’s wise to be prepared in case of an earthquake. It’s as simple as that.

But no matter what the emergency, it certainly is not wise to ignore the possibilities. Just as there is no use in worrying about what day a major disaster might strike, there’s no excuse for not being ready in case there is one. And there shouldn’t be a run on stores for supplies when there’s a warning, because everyone should already be stocked with the necessities.

In an attempt to deliver a message that so often falls on deaf ears, we remind our readers of the basics of emergency preparedness to keep in mind. The following comes from the City of Menifee website document “Creating Your Emergency Kit”:

-- Have enough supplies to last each family member at least 72 hours. That includes a gallon of water per person for three days. For a family of four, that is equivalent to 32 16-ounce bottles of water.

-- Stock up on non-perishable (canned) foods and include a can opener with your supply.

-- Stock up on batteries and other energy sources you might need in case of a power outage. Keep electronic devices charged and know where your flashlights are.

-- Keep an emergency contact list online and on paper in case you need to reach other to check on others.

-- Make sure you have extra supplies of food for babies and pets.

-- Keep a first aid kit well stocked and easily accessible.

-- Remember to include practical items such as an extra set of keys, maps, and a roll of duct tape. Do not forget to include personal hygiene items such as toilet paper, soap, baby wipes, etc.

Gather this supply little by little if you need to, and know where to find it in case of emergency. Remember, the City of Menifee has recently created two new emergency alert systems to assist you.

Alert Menifee will be used to communicate public safety topics, including severe weather, evacuations, road closures, etc. All residents are encouraged to sign up for alerts. Click here to sign up.

Genasys Protect is an interactive map. Click here to view the map. Residents can look up their pre-determined evacuation zone using the search bar in the top left, and will be able to view live zone statuses, road closures, and evacuation points during an emergency.

OK, so maybe this seems like a lot of preparation you think might never be needed, but let’s be smart and not take that chance. Know the resources that are available to you and be ready to use them.